Despite it being the last Friday (8 March) before the month of Ramadan, the kitchen markets in the capital have had less number of customers owing to the hike in commodity prices.
Akash, an official of a private company, was shopping in Mirpur 1 kitchen market.
He said he was shopping for Ramadan, but can’t buy everything needed for the month in on go as prices are high.
“Everything is expensive. So there is no way to make any additional purchases,” he added.
Akash said he is the only earner in his family.
“Every year there is usually a rush in the market before Ramadan. But this year there is no such rush,” he said.
Akash said that the prices seem to be higher than before around Ramadan this year.
“Earlier I used to buy 4 kg of potatoes for 100 taka, now I have to buy 3 kg of potatoes for Tk105,” he added.
Sharif has been selling onions, potatoes, garlic and ginger in the Mirpur-1 kitchen market for a long time.
He said that every year, before the start of Ramadan, a buying spree among the customers is noticed.
“But this year the picture is completely different. 30kg of onions have not been sold since morning,” he said.
Eggplants, chickpeas, potatoes, cucumbers, and sugar among other items used during Iftar are in high demand during Ramadan and before it.
But this time there is no rush of buyers in the kitchen markets even though there are only two days left before the holy month of fasting begins.
Looking around the kitchen market, it was seen that gram is being sold at Tk105-110, potato at Tk35, open sugar at Tk140 and packet sugar at Tk145 per kg.
Eggplant is being sold at Tk80 per kg, cucumber Tk60, carrot Tk40, bitter gourd Tk60, beans Tk80 per kg.
Broiler chicken is being sold atTk215-225, cock chicken Tk315-325, layer chicken Tk320, country chicken Tk500-680 depending on the type, beef is being sold at Tk750-780 per kg.
Eggs are being sold at Tk135 and white shelled eggs at Tk125 per dozen.